Page 6 of Key West Promises

"So," Kaitlyn said, flipping her hair over one shoulder, "what's the plan for tomorrow? Beach day? Shopping? Maybe some nightlife? I need content for my travel highlights reel."

Leah hesitated, glancing at Tess. They hadn't exactly planned for entertainment—their budget barely covered groceries these days. "Actually, we have work tonight."

Kaitlyn's expression flickered with surprise, her carefully maintained facade cracking slightly. "Work? I thought you guys were, like, retired or something. Mom said you'd cashed out your retirement accounts to move here."

Tess laughed, though the sound was slightly forced. "Oh, sweetie, no. The island life isn't quite as glamorous as it looks on Instagram. We've taken a job at Margarita Max's."

"A bar? That's so fun!" Kaitlyn said, clapping her hands together, recovering her enthusiasm with impressive speed. "Can I come watch? I'll be your biggest cheerleader. Maybe we could do a behind-the-scenes series—'Key West After Dark' or something?"

"It's not exactly spectator-friendly," Leah said, softening her words with a smile. "But maybe another time. When we're more…settled in."

Kaitlyn leaned back, pouting slightly. "Well, if you're busy, I guess I'll have to explore on my own." She brightened suddenly. "Actually, that might be better for content. More authentic, you know?"

"Careful with that," Tess said, her tone light but her eyes serious. "Key West might seem small, but it's easy to get lost in all the…distractions. It's not exactly like spring break in Miami."

Kaitlyn grinned mischievously. "I think I can handle it. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? It's not like I'm going to join a pirate crew or something." She paused, considering. "Although that would make amazing content."

Leah finally asked the question she’d been dying to ask. “Honey, does your mother know you’re here?”

Kaitlyn frowned, clearly not thrilled to answer. “I haven’t talked to my mother since graduation if that’s what you’re asking. You know how things are with her. We haven’t always seen things the same way.”

“I understand that, but maybe…”

She cut Leah off. “Do we have to talk about Mom right now?”

Leah shook her head. “No, we don’t. Let’s get you unpacked and set up a space for your things. How does that sound?”

Kaitlyn smiled. “It sounds perfect to me.”

It wasn’t long before Kaitlyn found a friend. Leah peeked out the window and saw her niece chatting animatedly with a man carrying a crate of bananas—likely one of the local vendors. Kaitlyn gestured wildly, her bright energy practically radiating off her, though Leah noticed she kept adjusting her pose to catch the best morning light.

"She's making friends already," Tess said, appearing beside Leah with a steaming mug of coffee. "Told you she'd fit right in. Though I'm pretty sure she's already posted more photos than we have in a year."

Leah nodded, though a small part of her couldn't shake the feeling that Kaitlyn's carefree attitude would clash with the reality of their lives here. The girl in those carefully filtered photos seemed worlds away from their soon-to-be, sticky-floored existence at Margarita Max's.

“I’m worried about her,” Leah said.

“What? Why? She seems perfectly fine to me,” Tess said. “And if you look at her photos online, you’d think she was the happiest young lady on the planet.”

Leah nodded. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I think those photos don’t tell the whole story.”

As the afternoon unfolded, Kaitlyn announced her intention to explore on foot, armed with her camera and what looked like a professional lighting attachment. She declined their offer to join her, insisting she wanted to "get a feel for the place" on her own first. "Sometimes you have to let a place speak to you," she said with the wisdom of someone who'd read too many travel blogs.

Leah and Tess spent the afternoon preparing for their shift at Margarita Max's, trading nervous jokes about surviving Trivia Tuesday. "Maybe we should warn Connie about our social media sensation niece," Tess suggested. "Before she tries to turn ladies' night into a viral moment."

"Remember," Connie said as she handed Tess and Leah their new name tags, "tonight's Trivia Tuesday. Should be easy enough for your first shift." She paused, eyeing their matching black shirts with the bar's logo. "Just don't let anyone convince you that 'Margaritaville' is the answer to every question."

Leah adjusted her shirt, already feeling the humidity seeping through the fabric. "How bad can it be?"

Two hours later, she had her answer. The bar was packed, mostly with a rowdy group wearing matching t-shirts proclaiming, "Linda's Last Brain Cell Before the Ring!" They'd taken over the trivia corner, and their answers were getting more creative with each round of drinks.

"The capital of Florida is…" the trivia host announced.

"MARGARITAVILLE!" the bachelorette party shouted in unison.

"That's wrong for the fifth time." The host sighed. "And it wasn't right for 'Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?' either."

Tess skillfully navigated through the crowd with a tray of elaborate cocktails, her former yoga instructor balance coming in handy. "You know what?" she called to Leah over the noise. "I think I've found my calling. Watch this!" She did a little spin, not spilling a drop. "Years of failed dance classes finally paying off!"

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